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Having managed to finally escape the run of the mill grind and head over to the Lakes, I decided to tackle Skiddaw. It's often been passed on the way elsewhere as it's not really enroute to much else. Besides, given that it had been a few months
since my previous mountain yomp, I though I'd better not stress my old aching knees out too much.
Having parked at the small Skiddaw carpark, north of Keswick in seemingly good time; prior to the mass arrival of several vehicles that littered the rutted road to the car park, I booted up and set off. the pace was good and the knees where holding up. Underfoot, the grassy path gave way to a motorway of a path that lead pretty much to the boulders of the summit of Skiddaw. Although the initial section was comparatively steep, it soon eased up the higher you ascended. En route I passed several German familys, all with young teenage children. It had a strange sense of de ja vu.
The summit was made in good time, less than 2 hours, and the customary sandwiches were partaken. The descent was via Little Man; well it was rude not to really.
The weather was decent, with extensive views over the Lakes and into Scotland.
All in all, a pleasant few hours, with nice easy paths. Worth the climb for the views on a clear day or to dust the cobwebs off the knees and loosen the joints prior to something more challanging.
Penguin
